Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon - When Dawn Touches the Sky
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What is the King of All Weapons?
Some might say it's the sword, but anyone who knows even the basics of wielding weapons would beg to differ.
No doubt about it—the spear.
Overwhelming reach.
Resource efficiency.
When a swordsman and a spearman of equal skill clash, nine times out of ten, the spearman comes out on top.
But in a tight space, things change.
Can you swing a spear in a dense forest?
The western skies where the Dam-mok Family had taken root were rugged mountains.
They yearned for freedom of movement.
Movement unbound by anything.
If they could achieve that, the spear would truly become the King of All Weapons.
“Kuh...! Ghost Spear Form—Torrent...!”
“Out of the way.”
That was what he thought.
That nothing could block a spear moving freely.
But what was that?
A massive fortress was walking toward him.
A body that nullified every slash and thrust.
The epitome of an impregnable golden citadel.
Geum-gang advanced slowly, taking Dam-mok Gon's whirlwind assault full on her body.
That golden light...! My attacks aren't getting through!
Dam-mok Gon had countless ways to keep Geum-gang at bay.
She couldn't maintain that state forever.
Drag it out, evade, and victory was his...
“I am an elder of the Great Heavenly Sovereign Demon Cult...!”
But he couldn't resort to such cowardice in front of everyone.
Even dragging it out this far against these girls was a lifelong disgrace.
He had to break through that defense head-on.
“Take this! The secret art of the Dam-mok Ghost Spear Form...!”
A stance for thrusting.
Geum-gang stared clearly at Dam-mok Gon.
Everything felt slow.
Her advancing steps, Hee Yeon catching her breath in the distance.
Slow. All of it.
Dam-mok Gon couldn't stand Geum-gang's demeanor, but he steadied his mind and shed his carelessness.
Block the strike, then thrust true.
The secret art of the Ghost Spear Form.
Devastation Thrust.
A technique layering movements upon movements to create a massive surge.
Dam-mok Gon shortened his grip on the spear.
No matter the attack, deflect it with the vortex, then plunge into the gut...!
Chopping off a wrist was no longer on his mind.
“Come on!”
It was a perfect plan, but Dam-mok Gon still clung to one delusion.
The human body was profoundly mysterious—tough didn't mean slow, agile didn't mean frail.
On the contrary, the more agile, the tougher; the tougher, the stronger.
The reason Geum-gang had advanced so slowly until now was purely to adapt.
I'll gladly take it, you moron.
Golden Body Fighting Method.
First Form.
One Point Three Strikes.
As the fist shot forward, the Eighth Elder sensed something was wrong.
Far too late.
“Whirl... vortex!”
Shatter the defense as is!
Once.
Geum-gang's fist smashed the sweeping spear shaft and buried itself in his gut.
Twice.
Hitting the exact same spot again, shattering bone.
Thrice.
Rupturing Dam-mok Gon's organs.
“Kuhak...!”
No matter how skilled in qi control, organ damage left no immediate counter.
Dam-mok Gon clutched his stomach, vomiting blood.
“Guhk... kuhk...”
He lay collapsed for a long while, unable to rise.
The pain of ruptured innards paled against the mental shock.
Defeated by a girl the age of his daughter... or granddaughter.
Even at full power, could he have won?
Overwhelmed by bone-melting shame and humiliation, Dam-mok Gon couldn't stand.
Me... I...!
As Dam-mok Gon ground his teeth and tried to rise, Geum-gang stomped his head, slamming it into the ground.
“Hoo...”
The crowd, expecting cheers, remained silent.
Hee Yeon stared blankly at the scene.
For a long moment, only Geum-gang's ragged breaths filled the air—no other sound.
Breaking the silence was Baek Mu-heun.
The former Right Envoy.
“The apostle chosen by the heavens has proven her might here! Does any object?”
His resounding voice brooked no dissent.
The Eighth Elder, truly defeated.
“Behold the new apostles! Ha Jin's disciple Geum-gang! South Heaven's Hee Yeon! Are these your heaven's, the Heavenly Demon's, apostles?”
The silent cultists began shouting one by one.
“The new apostles have arrived—!”
Confirming the response, the Right Envoy bellowed louder.
“Heavenly Demon eternal—!”
“Ten thousand demons prosper—!”
“Heavenly Demon eternal—!”
“Ten thousand demons prosper—!”
“In the new Heavenly Demon's era! All demons shall prostrate and worship!”
“Waaaaah—!”
Not a technique to use lightly. Be careful, she said.
You can speak properly when you try...
Mu-heun supported the drained Geum-gang, raising his hand.
He approached Hee Yeon, helping her up.
Her skin was torn in places, but no major wounds—though her expression was grim.
“Both apostles have proven themselves! I, Sunset Glow Right Envoy Baek Mu-heun, on behalf of Radiant Light Left Envoy Ha Jin, bestow the Left Envoy title upon Ha Geum-gang, and the Right Envoy title upon Hee Yeon!”
As all cheered and shouted, the Cult Leader's face soured.
Her emotions were still hard to read, but displeasure was clear.
Tch.
“C-Cult Leader. My brother...”
The Dam-mok Family patriarch approached, bowing obsequiously, but she merely flicked her finger.
“What of it? I started this...”
Some plans needed revision.
The Cult Leader rose, her long skirt trailing.
“Indeed. Unprecedented. Apostles this young.”
“Quite so, Cult Leader.”
Her words carried barbs, but the cultists paid no mind.
Beauty paired with overwhelming strength.
The birth of new icons.
The Cult Leader handed the badges to the girls with an impassive face, as if unperturbed.
Using void grasp, like a divine bestowal.
“You two apostles must now go to Heavenly Peak. I worry the Heavenly Demon may not welcome you. Even the former Left and Right Envoys never saw her...”
Each word laced with inner power, exuding immense pressure.
Hee Yeon buckled under it, unable to reply.
“It's our duty, right? Isn't it, Hee Yeon?”
Geum-gang gripped Hee Yeon's shoulder firmly, patting her encouragingly.
As if to say she could do it.
Hee Yeon bit her lip and nodded.
“Yes. Our duty, Cult Leader.”
“Ha!”
For the first time showing emotion, the Cult Leader descended before the girls.
She whispered into Geum-gang's ear.
You must choose wisely.
With a firm stomp, violet holy light bloomed.
“The Sacred Fire Festival ends here. Elder, handle the closing.”
With that, the Cult Leader vanished in an instant.
Geum-gang felt an inexplicable sense of victory from her retreating figure.
As the Cult Leader departed, Mu-heun approached the girls, beckoning.
“Let's go. Now the real thing begins.”
At last.
They headed to the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Waaaaah—!
Even at the pinnacle of Heavenly Peak, in the massive hall, joyous cheers echoed.
The young girl scurried to the window, peeking out.
“Jin-ok. Jin-ok. What's that noise?”
Why were people shouting like that?
Of course, no answer came.
“...”
“Hehe. Jin-ok, don't be mad. The Cult Leader permitted it...”
“I've told you countless times! This Sacred Fire Festival...!”
The woman glared fiercely, scolding the girl.
Jin-ok had indeed warned her repeatedly.
Without asking the girl's opinion, though.
“Mm. Sorry...”
The girl shrank back, curling up.
Unable to sate her curiosity, she retreated into her room.
“Ha. Calling that one the master...”
If she could hear the cheers below, she must have heard Jin-ok's mutter.
The girl simply slipped into bed, pulling the covers over.
Thud thud thud.
“Mm?”
Thud thud thud thud.
Hm?
Sounds of someone climbing the stairs.
Aside from Jin-ok's footsteps, it had been ages since she'd heard such.
The girl cracked the door, calling softly.
“Jin-ok. Someone's coming, right? Not the Cult Leader. Seems like the Left and Right Envoys.”
“No. No one is coming. The Heavenly Demon must be mistaken.”
“No. I clearly heard. Shall I check?”
“I've already checked.”
“No. I definitely...”
“Lady Cheon Hong!”
The girl startled, clamping her mouth shut.
Being called “lady” meant real anger.
To her, Jin-ok remained an object of fear.
“Lady, do you not trust my word?”
“N-No. I do...”
Thoroughly cowed, though she'd clearly sensed someone outside, she couldn't press.
They really came.
Thud thud thud.
“See!?”
“Tch...!”
Bang bang bang.
“Wait!”
Jin-ok shouted loudly at the approaching footsteps.
As if barring absolute entry.
But the steps ignored her, drawing nearer.
Geum-gang, Geum-gang. Is this okay?
Dunno. The old man's orders.
Bang bang bang.
“I said stop! Who dares invade the sacred Heavenly Demon Hall!?”
Jin-ok's folding fan drawn, her fierce aura sealed the entrance.
The Cult Leader's sole command to her: Allow no one contact with the Heavenly Demon.
Jin-ok was prepared to kill and silence any who tried.
“The Left and Right Envoys come to see the Heavenly Demon!”
What...? The Cult Leader clearly... Has the plan gone awry?
“If truly the Left and Right Envoys, follow procedure with the Cult Leader. Not so abruptly...!”
Jin-ok clung to nonsense, guarding the door, but an unexpected voice rang out.
“Open it, Jin-ok.”
“Cult Leader?”
“Yes, open it, Jin-ok.”
The Cult Leader's gentle, clear voice.
The girl flinched, stepping back involuntarily.
No defying the Cult Leader's command.
There must be reason.
Jin-ok swiftly changed tack, stowing her fan.
“Heavenly Demon Hall Master Yeo Jin-ok welcomes the guests.”
“Good.”
Cult Leader, why...?
You've done your duty. It's fine, Jin-ok.
“Heavenly Demon. Long time no see.”
The young girl couldn't even meet the Cult Leader's eyes.
“Mm. Yes... long time.”
“I've brought the new Left and Right Envoys. Stay with them. If lonely, chat.”
“What, really?”
“Truly. Why would I, your Cult Leader, lie?”
The Cult Leader always opposed her meeting others.
New Left and Right Envoys, though!
The girl felt excitement, but also a twinge of gloom at the thought of two more Jin-oks.
She had no say anyway.
“Mm. Fine. Who's Left, who's Right?”
Forcing bravado in her tone, she glanced at Geum-gang and Hee Yeon.
Then startled, rushing to Geum-gang.
“Oh! Ha Jin? Why so small?”
She'd seen Ha Jin in her father's time.
Geum-gang and Ha Jin looked like mother and daughter.
The misunderstanding was natural.
Geum-gang bowed properly, greeting the Heavenly Demon.
“The former Left Envoy is my master. Sharing the same martial arts made our appearances similar. Left Envoy Ha Geum-gang greets the Heavenly Demon.”
Before the Cult Leader, Geum-gang introduced herself boldly.
It was the first meeting of Geum-gang and Yeon-hong.
Dawn and the sky.